Dictionary.net

A noted Polish novelist; born at Warsaw, July 28, 1812; died at Geneva, March 19, 1887. He was the author of over 500 works, consisting, besides valuable historical writings, of romances, novels, critiques, travels, political treatises, epic poems, etc. Of poetry, among his chief works was the epic "Anafielas" (1840-43), in three parts, founded on Lithuanian history. "The Devil and the Woman" (1841) was an imaginative drama. But his best work was in his romances and novels, over 240 in number. Among them were: "The Poet and the World" (1839); "Ulana" (1841), containing pictures of Polish society; "The Hut beyond the Village" (1855), which became very popular in his country; "About to Die" (1871). His celebrated series of novels depicting Polish history from the earliest times made him the Walter Scott of Poland. It has been said of him that he taught his countrymen to "know better both their past and themselves".